About WAAT

About Us

Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment (WAAT) is a unique membership organization of professional women who work in the field of recovery. WAAT is committed to advancing and supporting women in the field. Our membership comprises therapists, counselors, treatment center owners, frontline staff, nutritionists, business development, yoga instructors, and more.

History of WAAT

In 2001, founder Victoria Smart gathered six women who worked in recovery for a monthly lunch meeting to share their experience, support, and knowledge with each other. As more women were invited, the lunch meeting became a breakfast meeting, and a few months later, in early 2002, the meeting had grown so large it was moved to the conference room to accommodate everyone. The original six women formed the first Board of Directors and began to organize Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment into a membership organization of diverse and dynamic women.

Under the leadership and vision of the founding Board, Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment became more than a supportive networking group. Members and other leaders in the field were invited to give presentations every other month, and eventually Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment began offering CEs. An extensive resource directory was created for members, by members, based on their direct experiences. Chapter expansion began a few years later.

At the core of every Woman’s Association of Addiction Treatment, Chapter meeting is the same central purpose born from the

first gathering of six women. Today, with Chapters all across California and other states, Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment members continue to uphold the mission and values established by its founders.

Women’s Association of Addiction

Treatment Founding Board Members

Victoria Smart

Annie Behringe, LCSW

Elizabeth Suti, LMFT

Chanda Rankin, PhD

Linda Gingras, LMFT, CADC II

Joanne Barron, PsyD

Board of Directors